Fargo hobo is cold!

[@K9COP282]

Gonna really miss your videos sir!! You’re free to ride them rails forever now!!

[@renegadebt1374]

Godspeed Mr. Nichols, We Thank You for all you gave, And for all you have given.. R.I.P. Shoestring, You are greatly missed.. ✌

[@b3njaminP]

Miss you shoestring. Rest easy brother.

[@hypeviews6440]

Hobos tell the best folk tales and stories . I grew up near train tracks and I would wait for the train to stop and the hobos would jump off and set up their camp fires and the kids in the neighborhood would bring them food and we’d sit and listen to their stories about their travels and how they would see big foot, ghosts , etc ..it was fun talking to those guys .

[@akghound]

I had the same childhood experiences. How great those days were.

[@WJack97224]

@HYPWE VIEWS, What a great testimony. You lived life. I lived in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois back in the 1970s and noticed the Hoboes on the lines running east-west but was too fearful to go investigate and now wish I had. You lived life and were brave. Good on ya mate.

[@codyzent6471]

All old folk are legends. Love listening to what they have to say

[@FrankRoden-wm2lm]

I have been watching Shoestring for awhile now. He seems like a nice guy. I'm sorry he has passed on. His videos opened my eyes to riding the rails. I heard stories of Hobos and the life. It has been interesting. May peace be with you Shoestring !!!

[@chrisharrod3709]

loving the history and the more frequent videos.

[@TerraExplorations]

Me too, it's like I'm with him on an adventure instead of sitting holed up in this house.

[@juliussinischo3958]

Hi shoestring, I used to work at a place called paragon steel in Novi Michigan that made the auto racks train cars. That's how I got interested in trains. One half of factory was fabrication and the other half was the paint facility that painted them. Be safe shoestring.

[@leea1988]

Love the longer videos, Shoestring. I don't care if they're an hour long I'll watch it all.

[@rpdobbler]

Pretty amazing set of skills & knowledge you have acquired over the years!

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks... Photographic memory helps..... lol I keep my face in knowledge learning everything I can

[@Ron4885]

Yeah. I'm learning A LOT from these videos.

[@kevinrby1982]

God Bless you and your travels Hobo Shoestring. Having a ASD Diagnosis, especially a savant/highly functioning diagnosis is a good thing. One of my students introduced me to your channel. I am glad he did, trains, geography, DIY, and life hacks you've got it all. You remind me of a combination of my grandfather who worked for the Boston & Maine RR out of their yard in Sommerville MA. and Fred Dinbah. Anyway, thank you for the posts, stay safe stay free.

[@cosmobliss5938]

Hello HString! I live in Fargo and hope you make a trip coming through here soon again. Huge fan of you

[@D1NKERR]

Hey Shoestring, you've given me a love for railroads and taught me a lot about them! Thanks for making your videos. It may not seem like a lot to you, but I enjoy putting them on in the background and they give me a lot of enjoyment. Thanks for being cool, man!

[@nickguffey499]

Shoestring i love hearing your stories! You dont meet too many people with the stories and experiences you've had. You are much appreciated. Thank you!

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

That’s fantastic how you showed us how to tell which way the trains moving through looking at the wheels, thought that was cool 👍

[@MountainDewbies]

I am am absolutely fascinated by your life, so glad I found this page. God speed shoestring!

[@dakotawolf67]

hey i live in fargo awesome video come back up soon

[@privateexposure7384]

That's a fantastic camera, Audio attachment is all you need. Very clear video, and one of the best I've seen.

[@TheWodasi]

back in 1971-1972 i jumped box cars out of MINOT to SEATTLE , twice .. what a great time , great views ! * * * love your vids !

[@chadmartin3918]

I use to work on and repair those auto racks. I love watching your videos buddy

[@davidthurmond6526]

Think u for ur service sir people don't get the respect they need for serving our country God bless u and be safe

[@heididarlingdcscrewcreator1649]

I love your stories, Shoestring! I am happy that you are out and about doing what you love, that is an answer to the prayers of many of us for you when you got in your accident God bless!

[@mechanicmama]

Good morning/ afternoon!! Hope all is well for you. Btw, was impressed with the video about your family! Impressive for sure. Your a smart man that comes from a smart family. Still praying for your safe travels.

[@panzer6522]

Your a smart man shoestring, you have a lot of Knowledge about things out there most people don't even know about and you have experienced a lot about traveling buy train.

[@derekrohan9619]

Hey shoestrings I’m a union ironworker in atlanta and we use those yellow dry paint sticks to write on the iron all the time. Think I have about 10 in the garage and my bag. Your welcome to them. Can always grab a box from the tool trailer too

[@davidartreides3932]

I'd like to apologize for living under a rock the size of Arkansas lately! How have I never heard of this wonderful gentleman?? This is great.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks

[@davidremy4470]

You got yourself a new subscriber Shoe string, thanks for the useful info. Yes, keep your immediate travel plans quiet until you get where you are going. Safe travels sir, looking forward to following your travels.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks.. Welcome aboard

[@sspiderweb]

I've been watching your videos for a few years now. You sure make riding rails look fun!

[@ryancooper2826]

Besides being entertaining, your videos are also very informative. I stumbled up on your channel by accident but I'm really glad I did!

[@kens.3729]

ALL of the info you learned and shared with us is really helpful and Nice to learn about. 👍

[@amyeteel5379]

Hi SHOESTRING ❗😁 be safe, enjoy the freedom💓❗

[@paulsuprono7225]

Ahhhhh yes, Fargo, ND. Spent 6 months there after discharge,, from the USAF - Minot AFB, ND. Gets COLD, up there ! 🇺🇸 🎄

[@greece-monkey8172]

I love listening to the knowledge you have to share

[@johngetman1816]

Thanks Professor Shoestring.Definately keep yourself below the snakeline. You're gonna get popular pretty soon. More viewers means more attention.Happy trails my friend.

[@stephenbrand5661]

Man when I was a kid in Tennessee I lived by some tracks and we'd always see those car carriers loaded full of brand new Saturns from the plant in Spring Hill!!

[@rickeystovall7547]

You are a strong man ! Much respect !

[@newarkman2663]

You are an amazing talker. Love listening to you. My parents worked for the SP. I stumbled upon yur videos by mistake. Love yur work.

[@waynemerryman3897]

You're putting out some excellent info. Ive rode a few car carrier's and no telling how many boxcars. I miss the days of the cabooses too. After I got older I tried to always tried to ride a Unit. Its been my experiance that very few workers will report you if you're polite and knowledgeable. Good Luck and watch you're "six"

[@MichaelJohnson-tn1qs]

You are a fountain of knowledge my friend . God bless you and happy trails brother

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks

[@brandonoswald2392]

Smart idea keeping quiet for a bit. Look forward to hearing from you again.

[@Rusty_Nickle]

If your in Fargo again. Look up pioneer rim and wheel they'll hook you up. Its somewhat close to that location. And a truck stop with a grey hound location is along the way if you need resupply.

[@thelonelytrucker9317]

I wish I was there to see you!!! I work for a trucking company in west fargo. Our yard is by the tracks. Over in Wisconsin right now. I keep missing you 😋

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi Hobo shoestring. Great videos with interesting commentary 👍🏻 Keep safe buddy 😎🇬🇧

[@Udontsay948]

I had people wondering if I was simple as a kid. Now I'm sober, I know a lot of it was emotional. You take care of your healt Hobo! Your friend

[@jeremys5904]

I am pretty sure there will be a LOT of car haulers sitting idle for a LONG time!

[@twizz420]

Car sales have increased since the pandemic began. More people are switching from public transit.

[@bobbaker8263]

Why not Minot, Freezing the reason! 😎Lived there for years!

[@amafid]

Just watched and subscribed. I dont know why you came up on my recommended videos but glad you did. I want to hitch some trains one of these days. I retire in 4 years.

[@steffenwyatt1772]

You should be able to get those paint sticks at a welding supply shop shoestring !

[@troydavidson1803]

In Canada, you can get those paint crayons at Princess Auto , so in the US it is probably Harbour Freight, Hope this helps you out Shoestring. Keep up the videos.

[@TomHeid1]

That marker you have is a tire chalk marker. They call them Tire marking crayons, or Paint sticks. You can get white, yellow, or blue pretty easy off of amazon

[@w8lvradio]

You should do a complete video on Catching out: The full/empty spring trick, the way the break handle is pointed, etc. Also a video on your experiences with Bulls, Police, jail, bail.

[@1950harleycharley]

26 is mighty cold! Ride in the south if you can! Take good care!

[@fallofdarkness7691]

You are a very interesting man shoestring. I have only been a sub for a month or so... and i am hooked. Started watching Shiey and gifgas as an introduction to trainhopping. Then found you. I am very glad i did. Thank you from Sweden

[@Bonserak23]

I just got back from Evrett,WA to Spokane, the west side of the state is super crazy about using any sort of public bathroom so beware, got stuck in Delta yard from Wenatchee and they where on me like butter on hot toast.

[@kevinstonerock3158]

So much useful information. It never hurts to hear a review of it. Unless I keep missing other videos that contain it I’ve only seen one video that details using the car ID to determine the car destination and history. That would be good information to know and remember. It brings to mind a question of whether a string of cars was ever cut right next to a car you were riding? If so I bet that got your heart racing.

[@sneed2290]

You're a good story teller. Have you done a video yet about the types of people you run into while hopping or camping out?

[@artisdeadlongliveart]

I just realized you have the same glasses frames that I have!! LOL!!

[@MisterPersuasion]

There was a tie place on the ground right next to your pack. You could have shown us the inside of that car carrier!

[@redneckdisneyland2527]

Love the videos by the way, I watch atleast one everyday

[@michaeltodd2923]

First time jumper leaving Tampa Florida for at least Montana. Not sure how yet. Half of me wants to keep researching it but the other half says just wing it. Make my own maps. Love your videos brother. So great.

[@yellownaped2577]

Michael Todd Safe Travel and enjoy the rails Michael ... It’s going to be a fun ride 👍

[@DarrelltheWolf]

Good luck brother

[@ReVolt_e-Vlogs]

Upload your vids, if you plan to you got a new subscriber now! 👍

[@scottmiller4348]

You should plan a few short hops first with someone waiting to pick you up at the far end , just to acclimate yourself ! There used to be a book published for " Rate Clerks " , it had all the routes and schedules for every line in N America . This was of course prior to the " digital age " . There should be some analogous digital publication somewhere out there on the net . IT IS NOT AN EASY LIFESTYLE ! JUST LOOK AT SHOESTRINGS HAND ! I BELIEVE HE LOST THOSE FINGERS IN AN INSTANT . HE IS VERY LUCKY HE DID NOT LOSE HIS LIFE ! I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THE SON OF A SWITCHMAN WHO HAD GOTTEN A JOB AS A SWITCHMAN AND HAD BEEN WORKING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS , GET KNOCKED OFF A CAR AND ROLLED PARTIALLY UNDER AND CUT IN HALF ! YOU AINT NEVER SEEN SO MUCH BLOOD ! HIS FATHER WAS NEVER QUITE THE SAME AFTER SEEING HIS SON LYING THERE IN TWO PIECES IN A BLOODY MESS ! IT AIN'T ALL GLORY AND GOOD TIMES ! IT IS REALLY JUST A WAY TO GET AROUND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! toot toot TOOOOOOT toot TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT :::::: ::::: :::: ::: :: : . .!!!!!! " TOOT " Watching Shoestrings vids , they are a good " primer " ! PAY ATTENTION !

[@michaeltodd2923]

@Katie Rae alive and well. Well alive lol.

[@wesleymartin6506]

Good video mr.very informative.keep on keepen on.

[@jimjohnston3188]

Very interesting fellow, clearly intelligent. Tough way to live, but his choice. Wish him well.

[@leapyear9460]

That hacksawed crescent wrench idea sounds like a good idea, might be able to use it for some other things as well. Thanks for the video buddy - the video with the overpass and traffic recently I was able to hear you loud and clear, just had to turn the volume up a little bit on my little Bluetooth speaker so no worries. You’re doing awesome. Also for me just watching stuff off my phone the video quality is just fine seems about on par with other videos I watch so maybe your camera gear is ok too- but that’s just me. 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@1eyedjackxo]

You can find those paint sticks at a welding accessories store, bleed through sticks, designed to mark bare metal parts fabed in a weld shop with the correct blue print number, when painted it will bleed through, still visible, comes in different colors

[@TheAlignmentGuy_TM]

We use them at auto repair shops and tire stores as well. Cheers.

[@navigator902]

Love to hear your music... do you blow a harp?? Love hearing about all the ideocinracy's of the car units and their uniqueness thanks shoestring I'd listen for ever.

[@mikezilch4882]

shoestring shares his knowledge he a lovely human being period

[@drush406]

A couple thousand car carriers stored on a line between the Colstrip MT and interstate to North. Also a couple thousand gainers stored between Glendive and Circle MT. I like seeing the graffiti on them. Ride safe Brother!

[@jacobwaller92]

Strange times we're living in for sure!

[@scottmiller4348]

@@jacobwaller92 " When the going gets STRANGE , the STRANGE get going " The VIllage Idiot :

[@davidthurmond6526]

I would love to sit down and listen to some of ur story's

[@Falcon163]

I’m currently sitting at work at the yard in dilworth I just watched the cute black and white kitty take a leak on the bulls truck. Hit me up if your up here and need a warm place to crash hot meal and a shower.

[@briandoyle6188]

I know this is history but the markal markers have there own website buy online for $1.39 and they have 18 colours for the 1934 paint stick and apparently they can go down to -46 so GRT for Alaska ☀️❄️👍🇺🇸.....I love all the knowledge you have about the railroads like the extra strength for the fork lifts to open the doors and everything else....one other thing which I'm sure you've done is a magnifying glass. ......

[@billywhite3020]

I hope the best yes I remember that you talking about the spike

[@harrywolters4180]

My aunt lived in a house by a hobo camp and always was making sandwiches for them. And when our school bus drove by the driver honked and we all waved at the hobo's. This was on the MIssissippi River in central Minn in the 1950's

[@MrMopar413]

Excellent video I really enjoyed it. A lot of my family is from that area. I’m Norwegian and my great grandfather that came over from the old country ended up in Hawley Minnesota around 1890’s. Dilworth and Hawley where built because that was a main line for the Great Northern RR and those where water, fuel etc stops. All the town names you rattled off I know but my father & Mother came out to Oregon because of my fathers work with Massey Harries tractor corporation in 1950. And I was born several years later. My 3 older brothers where born one in Fargo, another in Detroit lakes and one in Minneapolis. I was back there once in the 70’s with my parents. The house that my grandfather built around 1900 in Hawley Minnesota is still there today and people are still living in it. I would like to see a video on those rotating couplers on coal trans sometime if you can and I live in Portland, Or all my life so I’m the only Oregonian in the family. Most of the people in my family are gone now , not a lot of offsprings and those people where old when I was young , so that’s about it and again I enjoyed this video, thanks👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@rolf4182]

Small world , I'm from my family is from Ulen , Felton area.

[@The_rusty_corner.]

I enjoy each video you post, you should write a book of your life and times on the rails. Be safe string.

[@TheBigdog868]

RIP Hobo Shoestring 😢

[@jimkammerer8028]

YOU CAN TELL THAT YOU ARE VERY INELEGANT AND YOU HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE AND AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AND LIFE EXPERIENCE AGAIN THERE IS A BOOK IN YOU ARE AWESOME. 👌👍BE SAFE AND CAREFUL. JIM KAMMERER OF PHILADELPHIA PA THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEO AND YOUR TIME.

[@moncorp1]

One thing not affected by his drinking is his memory.

[@laughmclaugh9171]

I’m related to some Darnell’s and some Nichols and from Eastern Tennessee.It’s a small world

[@tmbleweed_5ix949]

Enjoy watching your videos.

[@michaeldavis8259]

The marker is for writing on tires. You will find them at a tire store.

[@CraigSmith568]

Why not Minot? Freezing's the reason!

[@tonycabral3603]

Shoestring the white chaulk in yellow sleeve is use a lot on truck& auto tires too mark info tire!!

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

The monopoly guy doesn’t have an eyepiece. You’re thinking of Mr. Peanut. Make sure it’s not just cataracts. They’re easy to fix.

[@StaysInMotion]

I rode from Dallas to L.A. last March would love to ride and learn from you. Tell me if you are ever in Dallas!

[@larrystartzman2209]

Mark,the lady said that she shipped that package today ,Fri.👍Larry

[@blueridgebackwoods4231]

I think I seen you awhile back in Clifton forge near the swinging bridge. I was under the csx line smoking one..name is slug.

[@chuckgrandstand351]

HOW MANY MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR DO YOU RIDE. I really enjoy your videos. Enjoy all the history

[@steveivey1332]

Welding Supply companies got those markers

[@Dr_Joe]

I so enjoy your videos, Shoestring! I model railroads for a hobby and have often wondered why pushers or other engines in a consist/lashup are headed in one or the other direction (and not all in the same direction). Could you speak to that in one of your videos? Why aren't they all lashed up in the same way? Does that make sense?

[@S4mm1ch]

i also scored a 141 on IQ test. math is also a tough subject for me. best wishes on your journey

[@agolftwittler1223]

Good morning Sir. Stay warm and safe.

[@rogerbivins9144]

I know most of the life is acquired knowledge and yours is impressive, but I'd love to know how you determine each trains destination & decide which to ride to end up where you want to be without needing to talk to the crew. Cheers!

[@scottprince4506]

The monopoly guy didn’t actually have a monocle

[@tedsmallwood3624]

Enjoy all your video shoestring

[@cowboy6591]

DUDE, you need an open end crescent wrench in your back pack for those doors, be well worth it you can hack saw off some of it's length to save weight.

[@jacksons1010]

You gotta be careful about carrying tools. Bad enough to get arrested for trespass or vagrancy - in a lot of places if you’re carrying “burglar tools” that gets you jail time. I got arrested for that under a “disorderly persons” ordinance, just walking along tracks at night with some tools in my pack. I’m no thief and they let me go in the morning, but I never got those tools back.

[@dmithsmith5880]

It's really easy finding a tie plate and a spike anywhere along the rails.. It's all about making do on the fly, not weighing your pack down more.

[@grantglow4206]

Bravo man keeping it alive

[@Tommyfddtec]

Hey bud. The markers you like are tire markers. Used when selling or returning tires. You should be able to get your them in Napa.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Alrighty thanks I'll check

[@theirishaxe9405]

Fargo sucks bro i used to live 60 miles north west of Fargo i was a combine driver flat no trees cold as hell good luck man 👍

[@WasatchTraveler]

Your beard ends up like Bozo the Clown 😂. My new favorite channel. I will now watch 3 more hours.

[@anthonytidey2005]

Hello Mr (Hobo) Thompson Like your video a lot of info I wished I lived in the US as I am UK railroad fan Re Markal B Pointstick you can get them on Amazon But your best bet is a car/van or lorry tyre gararge They are used to mark the tyre's and industrial companies I am sure if you ask in hardware stores or industrial tools ect suppliers they should have them

[@anthonytidey2005]

Hello Shoestring Merkel B Pointstick is also used to mark long rail after welding together +

[@davet.3587]

Couldn't find your video of La Cross wi there are so many? Found the diamond though and caught out don't think I like the hot shot intermodals they never stop when they'res two mains